Community
County leads way in faith diversity RAY PARCHELO Red Maple
In a quiet corner of Admaston-Bromley, Renfrew’s small Buddhist congregation put Renfrew County into the records of Eastern Ontario’s faith history. The Red Maple congregation, the first and only permanent lay Buddhist group in rural eastern Ontario, recently held a unique and special ceremony. The ceremony, called jukai, or Going for Refuge, was performed for the first time in Renfrew County, and was the first- ever performed in Canada for this tradition. The refuge ceremony, which has a similar goal and format to adult baptism in Christianity, is the way an individual member announces their commitment to follow the teachings of the faith. It involves the declaration before fellow Buddhists of the person’s intentions. To symbolize this statement, the individual receives a kesa, a kind of collar worn for any faith event, a nenju, a set of beads, and, perhaps the most important, a new faith name. Performing the ceremony for the first time himself was Renfrew and Canada’s first Tendai Buddhist priest, Rev. Innen Parchelo, a resident of Admaston-Bromley Township. He founded and has led the congregation for the past 10 years. He was recently authorised to perform the Refuge ceremony by Ven. Monshin Naamon, the spiritual head of Tendai Buddhism, and
its Secretary General for North America and Europe. He becomes one of only a few dozen Westerners approved to perform Tendai jukai. In their practice centre, just outside of Renfrew, he invested Renfrew resident Candice Dick. Dick, a retired social worker, has been a member of Red Maple for nearly two years. “It was important for me to express my dedication to this Way.” she said. “It shows me and others how much I have gained from this practice, and, I hope, will inspire others to follow it as well.” Dick received her new name, Jisei, which means gentle compassion. Following the ceremony, Jisei Dick, her husband Mel, and fellow members of Red Maple, who come from all over Renfrew County and Ottawa, celebrated with their monthly community brunch. The Red Maple Congregation is a community of Buddhist practitioners and their friends. It gathers every Saturday to learn how to practise and present the teachings of the Buddhas in our lives and Renfrew County. It provides introductory and intermediate instruction in Buddhist practices, as well as opportunities to practise and to serve in the community. Red Maple welcomes all and does not require any exclusive commitments of faith. Those interested in more information on Red Maple can call Innen Parchelo at 613-433-9405 or visit their website at www. realperson.com.
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The Renfrew Mercury - December 29, 2011
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Mercury photo by Steve Newman
BOOK SIGNING Co-author David Abraham looks on as Susan Veale signs a copy of For Love of God for Karen Bancroft of White Lake. The book signing took place at Pura Vida store Dec. 17. For more details, see the feature in the Dec. 15 Renfrew Mercury or visit the rural north link on www.yourottawaregion.com. To learn more about the authors or to order the book, published last month by General Store Publishing House in Renfrew, visit www. forloveofgod.com.